Bridging the gaps for cross-functional integration in Tzaneen’s avocado supply chain

Background: Tzaneen’s avocado supply chain (ASC) plays a critical role in South Africa’s avocado industry but faces significant inefficiencies caused by organisational silos, weak communication, postharvest losses, and fragmented coordination across its six supply chain stages. These challenges hinder competitiveness, reduce product quality, and limit the region’s ability to respond effectively to global market demands, highlighting the need for improved cross-functional integration (CFI). Objectives: This study aimed to develop a comprehensive framework for introducing CFI in Tzaneen’s ASC by identifying challenges, proposing strategies, determining key stages for enhancement, and creating a cohesive model to reduce silos and improve efficiency. Method: This is a conceptual article that relies solely on an extensive literature review to build a theoretical framework for understanding and reducing silos in Tzaneen’s ASC. Results: The study reveals that organisational silos, communication gaps, and poor cross-functional coordination across Tzaneen’s ASC significantly hinder efficiency, increase postharvest losses, and weaken supply chain performance. Conclusion: The study concludes that implementing structured CFI is crucial for reducing silos, enhancing information flow, and improving the competitiveness and sustainability of Tzaneen’s ASC. Contribution: This article presents a theoretically grounded framework that identifies the causes of silos and outlines strategies for implementing CFI to enhance collaboration and performance within Tzaneen’s ASC.